Exploring STEM Kit Diagrams for Braille Readers in Inclusive Classrooms

Abstract

Diagrams appear in many school subjects but more prominent in science and mathematics taught in schools. Accessing these diagrams in an inclusive classroom has been identified to be problematic for blind students partly due to the teaching resources available and personnel type, support and sufficiency. Diagrams are mostly omitted by teachers leaving the blind person out in such classroom to access portion of education received by their peers. In many instances, questions with diagrams are treated as bonus for blind students in some countries which is not fair to them. This study explored the efficacy of STEM Kit diagrams on participation and inclusion of blind students in science lessons in two case schools in Nigeria. Data were collected through classroom observations and teacher and student interviews. The accessible diagrams in the STEM Kit were found to provide relevant solutions to problems militating against adequate accessibility of diagrams to blind students in inclusive classrooms.